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"When I used to come over here to Western Australia and visit her, we'd sit down and have a laugh and a cup of tea and she'd always feel my white hair and say 'your blue eyes haven't changed their colour yet' and I'd say 'well I'm not cranky'," Fraser told reporters after the service.

"When I used to get cranky my eyes used to go grey.

"She said 'well I'm not talking to you if your eyes go grey'."

Fraser described Cuthbert as the greatest track and field athlete Australia has had and said the service was a fantastic send off for her friend.

Cuthbert's nephew Peter Johnston described his aunt as humble and a "true champion of life".

"She said her running was a gift not to be wasted," he told the service.

Mr Johnston said she conducted her post-athletic life with grace and dignity as she battled multiple sclerosis and kept her strong faith in God.

He also thanked Rhonda Gillam and her husband for caring for Cuthbert, who spent the last 25 years of her life in Mandurah.

"Aunt Bet, you did yourself, your family and your country proud," he said.

"We love you. It is comforting to know that you are now at peace.

"Your race has been run and we will never forget you."

Sports commentator Bruce McAvaney described Cuthbert as a national treasure.

Her twin sister Marie Johnston and Ms Gillam also participated in the ceremony, which began with footage of some of Cuthbert's greatest sporting moments played behind her coffin covered in pink flowers.

Cuthbert's four Olympic gold medals were displayed on the stage, as well as her green Olympic blazer and a photograph of her.

Private photographs of Cuthbert over the years were also shown on the screen during the service.